SPECIAL SHELTER OFFER!Receive a FREE rabies vaccination, a FREE microchip & a FREE personalized ID tag when you come to the shelter & purchase a new license or renew a license.

READ THIS SECTION FIRST BEFORE YOU START LICENSING!

The Front Street Animal Shelter issues pet licenses for residents who reside within the city limits of Sacramento ONLY. If you reside in the county limits of Sacramento, you will need to license your pet with the Bradshaw Animal Shelter.

The quickest way to tell if you live within the city limits of Sacramento is by looking at the color of your street sign. If your street sign is green-colored, then you reside within the city limits of Sacramento. If your street sign is white-colored, then you reside within the county limits of Sacramento.

You may also verify your address through the Sacramento County Parcel Viewer. After you enter your house number and street name, refer to the Property Information box on the left side and look under "Jurisdiction." If the jurisdiction shows "Sacramento," then you reside within the city limits of Sacramento. If the jurisdiction shows "Unincorporated," then you reside with the county limits of Sacramento.

NUMBER OF PETS THAT AN OWNER IS ALLOWED TO LICENSE

According to the Sacramento City Code, each household within the city limits of Sacramento is allowed to have no more than 3 dogs and 7 cats. Thus, a pet owner is allowed to license a maximum of 3 dogs and 7 cats, regardless of the number of residents in the same household.

PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION AND SPAY/NEUTER

If you are licensing by mail, please make sure to mail a copy of your pet's current rabies vaccination certificate and proof of spay/neuter (if your pet is spayed or neutered). If you are licensing online, please make sure to upload a copy of your pet's updated vaccination certificate and proof of spay/neuter (if your pet is spayed or neutered). We cannot process your license if you do not provide the required paperwork.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU QUALIFY FOR A 1-YEAR LICENSE OR A 3-YEAR LICENSE

A pet license is dependent on your pet's rabies vaccination, and so a license cannot expire after the rabies vaccination expiration. In order for a license to be valid, the rabies vaccination must also be valid for the same period of time as the license.

If the rabies vaccination is valid for the next 3 years (or close to it), then you are eligible for a 3-year license. EXAMPLE: If the rabies vaccination was given 2 months ago and is valid for 3 years and you purchased your license today, then you are eligible for the 3-year license.

If the rabies vaccination expires in less than 3 years, then you only qualify for the 1-year license. EXAMPLE: Let's say that your pet had received a rabies vaccination in January 2017 and it expires in January 2020. Let's also say that today is June 1, 2018, and you purchase your license today. As a result, you are only eligible to purchase a yearly license because there are only 18 months remaining on the rabies vaccination.

It is important to understand that that your 1-year license may not last exactly 12 months. EXAMPLE: If your pet's rabies vaccination expires in December 2018 and you purchase your license today, then your license would only be good until December 2018. Again, your license cannot expire after the rabies vaccination expiration.

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR A FREE 1-YEAR LICENSE

If (1) you reside within the city limits of Sacramento, (2) your pet is spayed or neutered, and (3) you participate in one of the following programs below, you may receive a complimentary license for one (1) year. A rabies vaccine and a microchip are also included with this offer. Proof of program participation is required.

Lifeline (AT&T)

PG&E and SMUD Assistance Programs

City Utility Rate Assistance Program

Any qualifying City of Sacramento resident with an unaltered pet may receive a complimentary license after spaying or neutering his/her pet through the low-income spay/neuter program. Complimentary licenses will not apply for owners unwilling to spay or neuter their pet, and, as a result, full unaltered license fees will apply.

IMPORTANT! If you do qualify for a free 1-year license, you must apply in person or by mail. You will NOT be able to apply online.

CONTACT US IF YOU NO LONGER OWN A PET

If you receive a postcard or notice in the mail regarding your pet's license AND you no longer own this pet, please email us at PetLicensing@CityofSacramento.org with your name, your address, your phone number, your pet's Animal ID, and the reason why you no longer own this pet.. This will allow us to update your account and to prevent future notices from being sent to you.

DOWNLOAD PET LICENSE APPLICATION

CONTACT US

IMPORTANT! The message line and the email address are for license-related questions or concerns ONLY. Non-license-related issues will NOT be answered.

Dog License & Cat License Fees

Dog License Fees

Cat License Fees

1-Year License (Spayed or Neutered)

$20

1-Year License (Spayed or Neutered)

$10

3-Year License (Spayed or Neutered)

$50

3-Year License (Spayed or Neutered)

$25

1-Year License (NOT Spayed or Neutered)

$75

1-Year License (NOT Spayed or Neutered)

$75

3-Year License (NOT Spayed or Neutered)

$200

3-Year License (NOT Spayed or Neutered)

$200

1-Year License w/ Senior Citizen Discount*

$8

1-Year License w/ Senior Citizen Discount*

$8

3-Year License w/ Senior Citizen Discount*

$23

3-Year License w/ Senior Citizen Discount*

$23

*Owner must be at least 62 years old AND the dog or cat must be spayed or neutered

1-Year "Show Dog" License

$36

1-Year "Show Cat" License

$36

License Tag Replacement*

$5

License Tag Replacement*

$5

*New tags are NOT issued after each renewal. The original tag is re-used after each renewal.

Is there a pet license assistance program for low-income residents?

Yes, the Front Street Animal Shelter has a program for pet owners who reside within the city limits of Sacramento AND whose pets are spayed or neutered. Any City of Sacramento resident who participates in one of the following programs may receive a complimentary license:

Lifeline (AT&T)

PG&E and SMUD Assistance Programs

City Utility Rate Assistance Program

Proof of program participation is required prior to licensing your pet. A rabies vaccination and a microchip is also included with this offer.

In addition, you may qualify for a complimentary license if you are on government welfare assistance (such as SSDI, Medi-Cal, etc). As mentioned previously, this only applies to residents who reside within the city limits of Sacramento AND whose pets are spayed or neutered.

How do I qualify for the Senior-Citizen discount?

We offer a senior citizen discount for those 62 years of age or older. We do require proof of age, such as a copy of a driver's license or any official document stating your identity and your age. A 1-year altered license is $8.00 and a 3-year altered license is $23.00. Please note that this discount applies ONLY to altered animals.

Does the shelter provide any resources for low-cost vaccinations?

The shelter offers a vaccination clinic on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. The clinic is operated by VIP Petcare Services. For this clinic only, the rabies vaccination is offered at a special price of $6. Also, the shelter will be open from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm for those who wish to license their pet or renew their pet's license.

The shelter offers a FREE vaccination clinic for low-income residents within the city limits of Sacramento (must provide proof of residency and proof of low-income status or public welfare assistance) on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Also, microchips are provided at a reduced cost of $10 (cash only) per animal. This clinic is coordinated by shelter volunteers and is operated from a mobile surgery trailer parked along Front Street in front of the Reception Center. The clinic closes at 1:00 pm, and there is often a line. To ensure service, please arrive by no later than 12:00 pm.

How much does the Front Street Animal Shelter charge for a microchip?

Microchipping is available for a one-time fee of $5 and is offered Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. No appointment necessary. For more information, check out our "Microchip Information" page.

Do I need to get a rabies vaccination for my pet before I license my pet?

The rabies vaccination is mandatory before the issuance of a new license. All new and renewal license applications require a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate issued by a veterinarian. The license is only valid during the period that the rabies vaccination is effective, so please check and make sure that the rabies vaccination has not expired.

Do I need to submit proof that my pet is spayed/neutered before I license my pet?

If your pet is spayed or neutered, please submit a copy of the spay/neuter certificate from your veterinarian. We will also accept proof such as a veterinary bill detailing the spay or neuter surgery or a rabies vaccination certificate that indicates that an animal is spayed or neutered.

How long does a license last before it expires?

Licenses may be purchased for 1 year or 3 years. If you would like a 3-year license, then the rabies vaccination must be valid during the 3-year period of the license. For example, if you wish to purchase a 3-year license this year in 2017, then the rabies vaccination must also be valid for three years until 2020. A license cannot expire AFTER the rabies vaccination.

How do I get a replacement license tag for my pet?

The license tag is a permanent tag and shall be attached to the animal's collar and/or harness and be worn at all times. A new tag will NOT be issued during the renewal of a license UNLESS your license tag is lost or the writing becomes illegible. If you need to replace your tag, you may request it at a replacement cost of $5.

What are the qualifications for a show dog or show cat license?

Registration with a national animal registry

Participation in sanctioned show within last 12 months

Dog or cat cannot be bred during period of the license

What are the qualifications for a chicken license and a chicken coop permit?

Requirements

A maximum of three (3) chickens per residential parcel

Roosters are prohibited

Slaughtering are prohibited

Coop may not be closer than 20 feet to the nearest neighboring dwelling

Chickens must be confined and properly caged in a coop at all times

Chickens are prohibited from being a noise disturbance

Coop must be well-maintained and clean and be a minimum of 15 square feet and a maximum of 42 square feet

Coop must have four walls and a roof and be constructed of suitable material

Coop may only be kept in the rear yard

Nesting boxes in the coop are required

Chickens must be provided with adequate food, water, and ventilation

Feed must be stored properly to prevent spoilage and to prevent access to other animals and rodents

Feces and feathers must be removed every 24 hours and shall be stored in an air tight container prior to disposal. Use of city issued garbage containers is acceptable.

What are the fees to purchase a chicken license Fee and a chicken permit?

$10 annual licensing fee per chicken. A band will be issued for each bird.

$15 annual coop permit fee

Does animal control perform inspections and issue citations?

Animal Control Officers will respond to perform inspections only if a complaint is filed

Administrative citations will be issued for a violation of the ordinance. Criminal citations may be issued for possession of fighting roosters or for any animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect situation.